Special mothers get a special makeover treatment at a Cleveland area spa

CLEVELAND - You could tell it wa a place for relaxation. The water bubbled softly. There air was aromatic, smelling of perfumes and lotions.  There were soft giggles as four women were pampered with cosmetics and fragrances.

There is nothing like a day at the spa. Especially if you can be limousined there and back home, too. That was the scene at the John Robert's Spa in Mayfield Heights as four specially-selected women received the spa treatment.

The women are mothers of seriously-ill children who are in the care of Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.  This marks the eleventh year John Robert's Spa has selected several women for the free makeover.

"It has been challenging for my husband and my daughter," said Samantha Kotora.  "I have a newborn also, so it has been challenging, but today has been very special," she added while in the middle of a pedicure.

The women also received shampoos and haircuts. There also were massages.  When their bodies were not rubbed or painted, the women, relaxing in terry cloth robes, ate lunch brought in by the spa.

"I don't think that they can know the inmpact of doing this for a mom who's going through what we're going through," said Latoya Murray.  "It makes for a very happy Mother's Day."

Throughout the spa the women giggled and chatted among themselves. They shared stories about their sick children and drew both comfort and strength from each other.

Each woman talked about the stress of raising children who are seriously ill and the need for mother's to be able to get away for a few minutes and have themselves pampered. 

"Oh, this feels good; this feels sooooo god," said Samantha Kotora," as she was in a shampoo. The hairstylist massaged her scalp and ran the warm water through Samantha's hair. Samantha giggled.

It was a special Mother's Day present for several women who know the importance of motherhood.  And who also know its demands, which, at times, can be stressful.